Gastroprotective effect methanol extract of Caesalpinia coriaria pods against indomethacin- and ethanol-induced gastric lesions in Wistar rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd is widely used as a traditional medinal plant in Mexico for protective and healing purposes and the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.Aim of the study: To investigate the gastroprotective effect of extract of Caesalpinia coriaria pods against ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced gastric lesion models, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities, and its main compounds through LC-MS analysis.Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were orally administered a methanol extract obtained from the pods of C. coriaria at doses of 10, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg prior to inducing gastric lesions with ethanol or indomethacin. Gastric mucosal lesions were evaluated by macroscopic and histopathological alterations. Determination of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), alpha tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), nitrites/nitrates, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and H2S gastric levels were investigated. Its main compounds of the active extract through LC-MS analysis.Results: Phenolic compounds were identified as major components of methanol extract. LC-MS analysis identified 15 constituents, and the significant compounds were gallic acid, 3-O-galloylquinic acid, digalloylglucose, tet-ragalloylglucose, valoneic acid dilactone, pentagalloylglucose, digalloylshikimic acid, and ellagic acid. Pre-treatment with the extract at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly reduced gastric ulcer lesions in both models. Compared with the reference drugs (omeprazole or ranitidine, respectively), no significant difference was found (p < 0.05). The extract's gastroprotective effect was accompanied by significant decreases in leukocyte recruitment, and gastric levels of TNF-alpha and LTB4 by two to fourfold (p < 0.05). Also, gastric levels of PGE2 gastric levels were maintained and the antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and nitrate/nitrite in the gastric tissue were improved (p < 0.05). The LC-MS analysis indicated the presence of hydrolyzable tannins (mainly gallic acid derivatives).Conclusion: The results suggest that the gastroprotective effect of the methanol extract of C. coriaria pods occurs through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and NO modulation properties, and gallic acid derivatives may be the main possible compounds responsible for its actions.

Automated summary

The study investigated the gastroprotective effect of Caesalpinia coriaria pod extract against gastric ulcer models induced by ethanol and indomethacin, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. The results showed that the extract exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and gallic acid derivatives may be the main active compounds responsible for its actions.